Dispensing container



y B. c. HUDGENS DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed July 20, 1955 March 10, 1959 IN VEN TOR. v 562M120 C flaw/ms BY United States Patent N DISPENSING coNrAlNiiii Bernard C. Hudgens, Ferndale, Mich., assignor of fifty percent to Richard B. Despard Application July 20, 1955, Serial No. 523,158

Claims. ('Cl. 132-745) This invention relates to a dispensing container for fluids and in particular to a manicuring tool comprising a unitary dispensing container and manicuring instrument for cleaning the nails and operating on the cuticle, the container cooperating with an edge of the instrument to dispense cuticle softener or remover as required adjacent said edge.

A number of similar manicuring tools have been available heretofore which have been subject to objectionable leakage of the manicuring fluid at the dispensing opening when not in use. Various valves and closure caps have been employed in an endeavor to prevent leakage, but these have been either ineffective or too costly or cumbersome for practical use.

An object of the present invention is to provide a manicuring tool of the foregoing character having a substantially leak-proof dispensing opening, which can be carried loosely in a handbag or coat pocket without danger of leaking fluid.

Another object is to provide such a tool of simple economical construction which is always ready for instant use without removing a closure cap or opening a valve or the like.

Another object is to provide a dispenser for manicuring fluid having a manicuring end of improved contour readily adapted for use in cleaning under the fingernails and between the flesh and nail at the region of the cuticle, the manicuring end and dispenser being combined in improved convenient arrangement to facilitate localized application of the manicuring fluid where desired at the region of the finger being manicured.

Another object is to provide such a manicuring tool comprising a tubular container for the manicuring fluid and an improved interior reservoir within the container adapted to be readily filled with a limited quantity of the fluid merely by inverting the container, the latter having flexible resilient wall portions adapted to be depressed by finger pressure to increase its internal pressure and having a dispensing opening connected with the reservoir by a capillary tube, whereby fluid in the reservoir is readily discharged from the dispensing opening via the capillary tube when the sidewalls of the container are depressed, but leakage from the reservoir is otherwise prevented.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is substantially a longitudinal mid-section through a manicuring tool embodying the present invention, showing portions of the tool in elevation to illustrate details of the exterior construction.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary bottom view of the forward portion of the tool illustrated in Fig. 1, portions being broken away.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top view of the forward manicuring end of the tool illustrated in Fig. 1.

2,876,782 Patented Mar. 10, 1959 Fig. 4 is a front end view of the tool shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the rear portion of a tool similar to that shown in Fig. 1, portions being broken away to illustrate details of a modification of the interior reservoir.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawings, a particular embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example in Figs. 1 through 4 comprising a tubular body or container for manicuring fluid, such as cuticle remover or softener. The container comprises a forward tubular portion 10 of comparatively rigid material, such as molded nylon by way of example, and a rearward tubular portion 11 of resilient deformable material, as for example molded or blown polyethylene resin. The portion 11 is closed at its rear end and open at its forward end. The forward portion 10 is open at its rear end which is removably sleeved into the forward end of the portion 11 as described below to complete the container having the cavity 12 illustrated.

The bore of the portion 10 is reduced forwardly at 13 and communicates with a discharge opening 14 of small diameter. Above the bore portion 13 the material of the portion 10 is formed to provide a'thickened spine extending endwise beyond the opening 14 and terminating in a thin down-turned manicuring edge or blade 16 spaced forwardly from the opening 14 by a concave recess 17. The forward end of the portion 10 declines from the upper spine at a steep angle of less than 10 from the transverse axis of the tool and meets the edge 16 at approximately one-fiftieth of an inch from the forward end of the recess 17. Thus the edge 16 is adapted to be used somewhat in the manner of a conventional orange stick and is sufficiently thin to be used in cleaning under the fingernail and also between the nail and the flesh at the region of the cuticle. By virtue of the resiliency of the nylon edge 16 the tendency to bruise the nail is avoided and the edge can be feasibly used without a protective cotton pad.

Gripping of the tool between the fingers during use is facilitated by an annularly ribbed exterior portion 18 integral with the forward portion 10. Extending rearwardly from the portion 18 and integral with the portion 10 is an inwardly oifset annular seat 19 snugly retained within the forward end of the portion 11 by a pair of axially spaced retaining rings 20 and 21 integral with the seat 19. The latter ring is notched axially at 22 to facilitate assembly of the tool as described below.

Secured within the bore portion 13 is a conduit or capillary tube 23 having a tapered forward end conforming to the contour of the bore portion 13 and spaced from the rear end of the opening 14 by a comparatively small air pocket 24. The rear end of the tube 23 extends through and is secured to the base of a rearwardly open ing cup-shaped reservoir 25 adapted to contain a limited quantity of the fluid cuticle remover.

In operation of the tool described thus far, assuming that the cavity 12 is partially filled with cuticle remover to the level 26 when the tool is in a vertical position with with the edge 16 lowermost, the reservoir cup 25 is filled by inverting or tilting the container to allow the fluid to flow into the containers closed end. When the manicuring edge 16 is again tilted downwardly, the reservoir 25 will entrap a limited supply of the fluid. The tool is retained in the latter condition with the manicuring edge adjacent the region of the finger to be manicured, whereupon the deformable sides of the portion 11 are squeezed by finger pressure. The resulting increase in the internal pressure within the cavity 12 and on the fluid 'within the cup 25 forces the latter fluid through tube 23 and discharge opening 14. The manicuring operation is then performed as is customary. Upon release of the finger pressure, the portion 11 will resume its undeformed condition illustrated in Fig. 1.

When the tube 23 and reservoir cup 25 are empty, fluid cannot leak from the opening 14 and no additional fluid can be expressed from the container until the cup 25 is refilled. The tapered rearwardly enlarging interior of the cup 25 readily enables the latter to drain when lying on its side. By virtue of the small diameter of the bore of tube 23, the tool can be carried in a handbag or coat pocket and jostled back and forth or tilted end for end without leaking. As fluid tends to enter the tube 23, the entry is prevented by the resulting vacuum in the cavity 12. Thus even when the cup 25 is full, unless the sidewalls of the cavity 12 are depressed, fluid cannot enter tube 23 beyond the limited extent at which capillary force within the tube 23 is balanced by atmospheric pressure. Also, even when the tube 23 is filled with the fluid, the effect of the capillary action at the forward end of the tube opening into the air space 24 blocks leakage into that space.

In order to refill the container 12, the portions and 11 are pulled apart and the latter portion is inverted and filled approximately to the level of the ring 21. The seat 19 is then inserted into the open end of the portion 11. Extrusion of the fluid from the opening 14 as the portions 1t and 11 are forced together is avoided by means of the notch 22 which enables the escape of air and prevents a pressure build-up within the container until the ring enters the portion 11. Preferably, before the ring 20 is forced into the portion 11, the resiliently yieldable sidewalls of the latter are depressed slightly by finger pressure, whereupon as a seal is effected between the ring 20 and portion 11, the deforming finger pressure is gradually released to enable return of the portion 11 to its undeformed condition as it is forced firmly against the shoulder at the base of the seat 19. Thus only the ring 20 comprises a sealing ring.

"The assembled device can also be refilled much in the manner of a fountain pen simply by inserting the lower end 15 into a supply of the manicuring fluid with the opening 14 below the fluid level. Thereafter the sidewalls of the flexible portion 11 are repeatedly squeezed and released to cause the fluid to be drawn into the container 12 until the latter is filled approximately to the level 26.

Where desired, the bowl of the reservoir cupis filled with a compressible reservoir wick 27 of porous or fibrous material such as cotton, felt, or the like adapted to absorb the cuticle remover. Thus the tendency for inadvertent leakage of fluid from the opening 14 is further inhibited, but the fluid is expressed from the wick 27 through the tube 23 and outlet 14 as described above upon depressing the sidewalls of the portion 11.

Fig. 5 illustrates a manicuring tool similar in all respects to the tool illustrated in Figs. 1 through 4, except that the cup 25 is not employed and the reservoir cornprises a wick or wadding 27a of the above described ab sorbent material having the rear end of the tube 23 embedded therein.

, I claim;

.1.- Ina manicuring tool, a container for manicuring 'ziiuid having a discharge opening adjacent one end and having wall portions of resilient deformable material, reservoir means within said container comprising a cupped portion adjacent and opening toward said other end to receive a limited quantity of said fluid, a conduit connecting said cupped portion and discharge opening for 4 I conveying the fluid to said discharge opening, said one end terminating in a downturned manicuring edge.

2. In a manicuring tool, a container for manicuring fluid having a discharge opening adjacent one end and having wall portions of resilient deformable material, reservoir means within said container comprising a cupped portion adjacent and opening toward said other end to receive a limited quantity of said fiuid, a conduit connecting said cupped portion and discharge opening for conveying the fluid to said discharge opening, said one end having a portion overlying said opening and termimating in a downturned manicuring edge.

3. In a manicuring tool, a container for manicuring fluid having a discharge opening adjacent one end and having wall portions of resilient deformable material, reservoir means within said container comprising a cup ped portion adjacent and opening toward said other end, porous absorbent material in the bowl of said cupped portion for releasably absorbing the fluid therein and for expressing the absorbed fluid when subjected to pressure, a conduit connecting said bowl and discharge opening for conveying the expressed fluid to said discharge opening, said one end terminating adjacent said discharge opening in a downturned manicuring edge.

4. In a manicuring tool, a container for manicuring fluid having a discharge opening adjacent one end and having wall portions of resilient deformable material, reservoir means within said container comprising a cupped portion adjacent and opening toward said other end, porous absorbent material in the bowl of said cupped portion for releasably absorbing the fluid therein and for expressing the absorbed fluid when subjected to pressure, a conduit connecting said bowl and discharge opening for conveying the expressed fluid to said discharge opening, said one end having a portion extending endwise beyond said discharge opening at a location above the latter and terminating in a downturned manicuring edge.

5. In a manicuring tool, a tubular container for manicuring fluid closed at one end and having a discharge opening at the other end, said other end having a downturned edge adjacent said discharge opening adapted for use in manicuring, reservoir means within said container adjacent said one end and in communication with the interior of said container to receive a limited quantity of said fluid, a tubular conduit extending lengthwise within said container and connecting said reservoir means and discharge opening to convey fluid therebetween, said container having resilient wall portions adapted to be depressed to increase the pressure Within said container and thereby to extrude fluid through said discharge opening from said reservoir means.

6. In a manicuring tool, a tubular container for manicuring fluid closed at one end and having a discharge opening at the other end, said other end having a downturned edge adjacent said discharge opening adapted for use in manicuring, reservoir means within said container adjacent said one end and in communication with the interior of said container to receive a limited quantity of said fluid, a capillary tube extending lengthwise within said container and connecting said reservoir means and opening to convey fluid therebetween, said container having resilient wall portions adapted to be depressed to increase the pressure within said container and thereby to extrude fiuid through said discharge opening from said reservoir means.

7. In a manicuring tool, a tubular container for manicuring fluid, said container comprising a forward portion of rigid material and a rearward portion of resilient deformable material, the forward portion having a discharge opening at its forward end and a downturned edge adjacent said discharge opening adapted for use in manicuring, the rear end of the forward portion terminating in an annular seat around the bore of said container, the rearward portion being closed at its rear end and terminating at its forward end in an annular portion aroun the bore of said container and removably sleeved over said seat, reservoir means within said rearward portion and in communication with the interior of said container to receive a limited quantity of said fluid, a tubular conduit extending lengthwise within said container and connecting said reservoir means and discharge opening to convey fluid therebetween, thereby to efiect the discharge of said fluid from said opening when the sides of said rearward portion are depressed to increase the pressure within said container.

8. In a manicuring tool, a tubular container for manicuring fluid, said container comprising a forward portion of rigid material and a rearward portion of resilient deformable material, the forward portion having a discharge opening at its forward end and a downturned edge adjacent said discharge opening adapted for use in manicuring, the rear end of the forward portion terminating in an annular seat around the bore of said container, the rearward portion being closed at its rear end and terminating at its forward end in an annular portion around the bore of said container and removably sleeved over said seat, reservoir means within said rearward portion and in commmunication with the interior of said container to receive a limited quantity of said fluid, a capillary tube extending lengthwise within said container and connecting said reservoir means and opening to convey fluid therebetween, thereby to effect the discharge of said fluid from said discharge opening when the sides of said rearward portion are depressed to increase the pressure within said container.

9. In a dispensing container for fluid; a first hollow tubular body portion having a closed end and forming a fluid reservoir of deformable material, a rigid hollow body section having a discharge opening therein secured to the open end of said tubular body portion and terminating adjacent said discharge opening, a second hollow tubular section of smaller diameter than said rigid hollow body section secured at one end to said rigid body portion at a position adjacent to and communicating with said discharge opening, while the opposite end of said second hollow tubular section is positioned adjacent to and opening into the closed end of said first hollow tubular body portion, deformation of said first hollow tubular body portion to eflect transfer of a predetermined amount of fluid from said first hollow tubular body portion through said second hollow tubular section and said discharge opening upon increase of pressure within said fluid reservoir, said second tubular section being fillable with fluid from said first fluid reservoir in at least one position.

10. The container according to claim 9 in which the second reservoir has a cup shaped end, opening into the closed end of said first hollow tubular body portion opposite the discharge end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 81,705 Tallman Sept. 1, 1868 2,550,890 Vaughn May 1, 1951 2,705,090 Wehrli Mar. 29, 1955 2,761,833 Ward Sept. 4, 1956 2,789,734 Biederrnan Apr. 23, 1957 

